Fox Searchlight Pictures and Regency Enterprises present an R rated, 109 minute dramatic crime thriller directed by David Ayer and starring Keanu Reeves (Detective Tom Ludlow), Forest Whitaker (Captain Jack Wander), Hugh Laurie (Captain James Biggs), Chris Evans (Detective Paul 'Disco' Diskant), Cedric the Entertainer (Scribble), Jay Mohr (Sergeant Mike Clady), Terry Crews (Detective Terrence Washington), Naomie Harris (Linda Washington), Common (Coates), The Game (Grill), Martha Higareda (Grace Garcia), Amaury Nolasco (Detective Cosmo Santos), Cle Shaheed Sloan (Fremont) and Noel Gugliemi (Quicks).
A very gritty film filled with action, drama, intrigue, enough twists and turns to keep you interested and guessing and a very eclectic cast of characters from different walks of life and the entertainment industry. Ludlow, an LA veteran cop, is the clean up man for Captain Wander. In return, once the problem is terminated in whatever manner deemed necessary, Captain Wander sweeps any mistakes under the rug so as not to implicate any unlawful actions by his favorite cop. Ludlow, has yet to come to grips with his wife's adulterous death, an element added to an interesting but somewhat confusing and contradicting script. When he takes out a household of Korean gunman single handedly, saving the lives of young twin girls he becomes a hero. But not so much to his ex-partner Washington who is out to expose Ludlow for his misguided beliefs and tactics of bringing the criminals to justice.
Washington though had his own little secrets that soon become exposed. Since when do victims become suspects or is it that suspects become victims. Sometimes this weeks suspect ultimately becomes next weeks victim. I guess it depends on who is telling the story and how accurate the facts are! Another man, Captain Biggs, is also lurking in the shadows out to expose Ludlow for his deceptive ways. As the story moves forward there are a number of twists that make you question the good from the bad, whether a cop or otherwise, not even mattering the position one holds on the force.
A 211 in progress at a local market and an officer is down. In a violent shot out an officer has fallen under the watchful eyes of Ludlow. Wrong place at the wrong time or the right time at the right place? Once again it depends on the players in the game of cops and killers. But some secrets contain a trail and sometimes a man with a conscience is one that seeks the truth and justice for all concerned. For some police officers they believe they hold the higher power in society and can do whatever they want. But in the end, what about the truth?
Biggs is hot on the trail to expose Ludlow as a bad cop and Wander is out to protect Ludlow's badge. But questions come into play once again on the loyalties involved between Biggs, Wander and Ludlow's fellow officers. Someone might think a conspiracy is in the making not only amongst the Captains but the other officers as well. In order for Ludlow to lay low he is placed in complaints which the director decides to shine a light on a variety of characters and their own insecurities adding a bit of levity to a very dark story. But laying low is not in his nature and he goes on a search with a new partner, Disco, to uncover the truth, find Washington's killers and bring justice to all. Sounds like a superhero character! I will say though that Ludlow does drive one awesome car which eventually contains yet another secret in the trunk but falls victim or suspect as a missing link to the script!
Blood doesn't wash away blood and one out to come clean may just take their secrets to the grave. In this story, sometimes the players involved end up getting played by their own friends that feel like family. Overall, we do need good cops especially ones out to tear down the walls of the true king of secrets.
Good cop versus bad cop, drugs versus clean, bad language laced with racial slurs, violence, heavy dramatic score, and overall good acting by the lead characters are all elements that help bring this story to life on the big screen. Reeves once again does the role justice as a man with a gun and a badge out to fight for what is right. Whitaker, the perfect dramatic actor portrayed his role with force and authority even though some of the writing he was asked to deliver lacked substance. Laurie, well I've never been a fan of his on "House" and once again not in this role either. Evans with his preppy good looks did his character justice but left me wanting more, maybe if he caught on fire or lost his clothes it would have helped make him a bit more fantastic! Yes, a pun intended! As for the rest of the supporting characters they projected their lines as written but lacked enough development to make you truly care about the role they played in the plot. It's obviously a movie directed at the male audience which will do well for those out to see blood and violence but may lose the ones interested in bit more depth to the story.
Reporting for Talkin' Pets, I'm Jon Patch.